September 15, 2006

Red Sox at Yankees, ppd. rain

There haven't been many games between the Yankees and Red Sox in the last four seasons that have been devoid of meaning. Sadly, we'll get four of them this weekend.

A few days ago, David Ortiz explainedthathe wasn't ripping Derek Jeter a few days ago when talking about the MVP -- "Hell no! C'mon, dude. That guy is one of my favorite players. ... I look like a freaking [idiot] out there because people haven't heard what I said." -- but he knows that won't soften the reception he'll get tonight: "Like always, boooooo. I might go like Matsui and tip my hat."

When I first got here, I was like a little kid, to be part of the Red Sox. I'm being real about that, and I don't mind saying that. I'm also professional, but if you don't love it, what is left? I'm glad I'm not like a rock.

If New York wins three of the four games this weekend, they will clinch the East. Many fans are adamant about that not happening, but I don't think I care.

The Yankees are going to win the division anyway, they likely will not go wild celebrating, and their fans (and the media) won't be any less obnoxinous if they only split. And considering who the Sox are sending to the mound this weekend -- Beckett, Tavarez, Snyder, Gabbard -- winning one out of four is probably a reasonable expectation.

The difference between them clinching against us and clinching, say, Monday night in Toronto, at least from the "living in NYC" perspective, is huge.

The entire Sunday-night, weekend wrap-up talk, as well as Monday's papers, would be filled with tales of the division win-streak, complete with montages and stories of how this is somehow revenge for '04 (survey says: baaaaaaaahhhhhhnnnnt), and other made-up crap like stories of how Damon now joins the ranks of Red Sox losers who've now WON with the Yanks, despite that the playoffs haven't even started, and that, oh yeah, he won with the RED SOX anyway, and World Series parade route maps.

A weekday night clinch against any other team would lessen the blow. 'course, I'll just turn off the tv either way, so maybe you're right.

This series is only "huge" in terms of pride and the race for second place. By that logic, Peter, Fenway Park must be Yankee turf. I seem to recall a 5 game sweep in the very recent past.

Agree with l-girl: the Yankees are not going to win the World Series. I don't think they'll make it out of the first round. No matter how awesome their lineup is, their pitching remains suspect. Unfortunately less suspect than the Red Sox staff but weak nonetheless.

"This series is only "huge" in terms of pride and the race for second place"

I think it's huge. For the sole reaon that if we can get one more win, we, the fans, don't have to see the Yanks celebrate. I'm way more worried about me having to watch that puke-fest than any of the players' pride.

I agree, I didn't want to watch the Yankees celebrate, either. But "huge"? No. The games merely forestalled the inevitable and the only advantage to that is not having to suffer through interminable curtain calls on live TV.